Tag Archives: Grammy

The Black Keys really had us going this morning. For a moment there, it looked like the once-reluctant rock stars were embracing Hollywood whole hog, making their feature film debut in a femme-fatale western destined for "direct-to-DVD" status.

Some of the nominations were expected, if not by the artists and writers, then certainly by the country music community — for instance, Shamblin’s inclusion with Grammy veteran Tom Douglas for their song “The House That Built Me.” Others, however, were more surprising due to the relative obscurity of a song or the somewhat fledgling status of an artist’s career (or both). Whatever the case, the validation that comes from the honor adds to the elation. Here’s how five of the first-timers view the Grammy attention and the material that earned it for them.Continue reading →

Dierks Bentley has built an enviable country career with songs that range from toe-tappers to sultry ballads. But last year he threw country music for a loop when he stepped out of his commercially viable comfort zone and into the world of bluegrass with the album Up on the Ridge. The record has been a critical coup, resulting in the best reviews of his career and multiple awards show nominations. At the Grammys, the father of two is up for three awards, with two nods in best country collaboration with vocals and a mention in the best country album category.

• (Up on the Ridge) wasn't a career move. It was just a record of passion. In the country world, there's a lot of fluff that goes on and it can be more about the game than it is about the music. And this was a chance for me to work with the musicians I love and write songs we love.Continue reading →

Giancarlo Guerrero joined the Nashville Symphony as music director in 2009, and in less than two seasons, he has led the orchestra to multiple Grammy nominations. Guerrero is a champion of new music, and this year the symphony is up for five awards, all for its interpretation of Michael Daugherty's contemporary "Deus Ex Machina."

• I was maybe 11 years old, and I had just started in the youth symphony of Costa Rica, and one of the first things I did was go watch a concert. I immediately fell in love.Continue reading →

Andrew Mendelson is among Nashville's top mastering engineers, an expert at a job whose description most people — even most musicians — have at best a vague understanding.

Andrew Mendelson is among Nashville's top mastering engineers, an expert at a job whose description most people — even most musicians — have at best a vague understanding. At the end of the recording process, after the parts have been played, sung and blended together into a final "mix," Mendelson, who runs the facility Georgetown Masters, listens intently and intensely and makes sonic tweaks.

He might adjust the volume of one song, so that it segues smoothly into the next song. Or he might make one portion of the soundscape a bit brighter, or clip a bit of bass to avoid undue rattle and rumble. His is an exacting yet subjective, technical yet artistic process intended to produce a pleasing aural result. He's Grammy-nominated for mastering Lady Antebellum'sNeed You Now album, an all-genre best album candidate.

• A mastering engineer can only win a Grammy for best album, best historical album or surround sound. Album of the year is the only one of the four big, all-genre Grammy categories that a mastering engineer can get. My projects got 16 nominations, but this is the only one I can actually get a trophy for.

Paramore's third trip to the Grammys is anything but ordinary for Hayley Williams, frontwoman for the Franklin-based pop/punk group. For one, she’s not just nominated with her band, but on her own for her collaboration with rapper B.o.B., "Airplanes, Part II," which also features Eminem.

Secondly, the Grammys come just months after Paramore founding members Josh and Zac Farro publicly and bitterly parted ways with the group. Nevertheless, Williams and her remaining bandmates hope they'll take home a Grammy for their song “The Only Exception,” which is nominated for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals.

We interviewed Hayley about what she's learned en route to becoming a Grammy caliber band. Here's what she had to say.

“I think Zac is one of the coolest new talents to come along and he’s a Georgia boy like me,” Jackson said in a release. “It was an honor to be on his record.”

Brown called Jackson “an amazing friend,” which we imagine is a common response from people who receive cars as gifts.

Jackson also made a surprise appearance at Wednesday’s concert to sing “As She’s Walking Away,” earning the loudest cheers of the night.

“That’s how you do it right there,” Brown said after the song was through. “That’s a legend of country music right there in our presence, people.”

“As She’s Walking Away” — which is also included on Jackson’s new 34 Number Ones compilation — recently earned a Grammy nomination for best country collaboration with vocals. Jackson and Brown will find out if they take that prize on Sun., Feb. 13, 2011, when the 53rd annual Grammy Awards show airs live on CBS from Los Angeles, starting at 7 p.m. Central.

Add one more feat to The Band Perry's super-sized 2010: their No. 1 single, "If I Die Young," has just been certified platinum for sales exceeding one million. The song is also up for a Grammy and recently reached the top spot on country radio.

“This song is about hope and contentment,” TBP's Kimberly Perry said in a release. “Fans seem to have taken this song to heart as a positive reminder to appreciate each day you’re given. Every night we sing this song, it’s a reminder to us as well – we couldn’t be more grateful for this response.”

You can see the band play the song live on ABC's The View on Wednesday, December 15.

"We're going on a tour in South America, and then we're taking time off and we're writing for a new record," York said. That tour finishes on March 4.

According to Williams, the majority of the album could be crafted in Middle Tennessee. "We like to do it at home mostly. We like to wait and kind of really focus on the records when we have time off."

The band's current album brand new eyes includes "The Only Exception," which is up for a Grammy this year in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category. Williams' duet with B.O.B. and Eminem, "Airplanes II," is nominated for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.